Hello everyone.  I'm looking at getting into an external frame pack and am lost and don't know where to begin.  I've already read through the old threads on here and it seems like many members start with old Dana Longbed frames.  Likewise, it seems like the frames from Kifaru are preferred over those from Mystery Ranch.  From what I can tell, the new Guidelight frames from MR are even shorter than the NICE frames.  In addition, the Stone Glacier R3 looks pretty nice.  I'm 6' tall and want to make sure I get a frame long enough for me.  

Does anyone have any advise or tips on where to begin?  I'm thinking that a Kifaru Duplex and pack may be my best bet at this point in time.

Thanks for the help.

I should have included that in my first post.  It will be used for multi-day hiking trips as well as well as hunting trips here and there.  I'm looking for something versatile rather than a task specific pack.

A Dana Shortbed, if you can find one, is hard to beat for carrying serious weight.  By hunting, I'm assuming you mean quartering and packing out deer/elk?

A Ute will do nicely.  It would carry 100#, but not with ease like a Shortbed with an HPG belt/yoke.  The Ute will be more comfortable with a 20# day-hunt load.  What would be nice is to have a Ute to wear hunting and a Shortbed back at the truck for the second meat sortie.

I have an old version of the Kifaru Longhunter that is similar to their current UL version (1/8th plastic instead of 1/4in) .  I installed Kifaru KU (bamboo and carbon fiber) stays, an HPG belt and shoulder harness, and a Kifaru Markhor bag.  Those KU stays fit my back like they were custom made.  I sold my Ute, not because I didn't like it, but because I only need so many great packs.  I also have a Kifaru KU 3700 for hiking so I realized I'd probably never use the Ute again.

If you had to have just ONE PACK though, it would be hard to beat if it is large enough for you.  They do have a larger version and if you use a synthetic bag that may be your best bet.